When the Arizona sun beats down and you crave cool, pristine fish, you need a one-two punch of exceptional sushi bars within walking distance. Because let’s face it, in this heat, you shouldn’t have to wander far for that perfect nigiri or hand roll. These 18 spots in Glendale deliver precisely that—culinary artistry and refreshing bites, all conveniently close.
Kitchen 7 Asian Food & Sushi
$ | (602) 374-5878 | WEBSITE
Kill that hunger at Kitchen 7, the sushi spot right in Glendale. Head over there for lunch, eat orange chicken and avocado bowls and Mongolian beef at Kitchen 7, and then go back to your day brimming with your new favorite flavors.
AH-SO Sushi & Steak
$$ | (602) 978-1177 | WEBSITE
AH-SO Sushi & Steak is one of our favorite restaurants in the whole area, and it’s tucked away at the corner of a strip mall, making it easy to miss. The food here is Japanese teppanyaki and sushi, and the chefs put on a lively show at the tables, so you never have to worry about getting bored. That said, there are some classics that are always on the menu, like the teppanyaki chicken and steak, and the perfectly cooked seafood. Both of which are fantastic comfort foods with great flavors.
KiKu Revolving Sushi
$ | (623) 825-1135 | WEBSITE
KiKu Revolving Sushi is a fun, brightly-lit sushi spot in Glendale, and the conveyor belt is the kind-of-constant parade of plates right in front of you. You’re here to grab some fresh rolls and ramen, and hopefully forget for at least a couple of minutes that the K-pop videos and Dragonball playing on the TVs would probably seem out of place anywhere else.
Seido Sushi
$ | (623) 937-4477 | WEBSITE
Seido Sushi always has a lot going on, and it appreciates tradition enough to turn its modest space into a cozy retreat for sushi lovers. This place is vaguely family-run themed (with fantastic sashimi and great rolls), but unlike most family spots, it also has dishes like mouthwatering Spicy Tonkatsu Ramen. Also unlike most family spots, it has the entrance to a hidden gem right inside it—with Alice’s friendly smile making guests feel at home from the moment they walk in.
Kawaii Sushi and Asian Cuisine – Glendale
$ | (623) 566-3888 | WEBSITE
Kawaii Sushi and Asian Cuisine, right in the heart of Glendale, is the best place to do that – especially when you’re craving something fresh and flavorful. This spot pretty much lives off the people looking for a comfortable, satisfying meal, and it’s far less hectic than some of the more crowded sushi joints around. If at any point over the course of your relaxed dinner, you happen to want something truly exceptional, order the Harvest Roll and some very good ramen to tide you over.
Tokyo Lobby
$$ | (602) 942-4165 | WEBSITE
Tokyo Lobby is not only a hidden treasure, but it also happens to be exactly the kind of place we want to hang out in during the summer. First, because it has a lovely outdoor seating area, and second, because sushi tastes like the ocean, and the ocean makes us think of tropical vacations. Plus, if you visit during Happy Hour, you’ll get great drink specials all day long. If that doesn’t make you happy, we’re a little concerned.
Yen Sushi & Sake Bar
$ | (602) 978-9022 | WEBSITE
Glendale is full of spots serving up sushi, but few do it with the consistency and flair of Yen Sushi & Sake Bar. (If you’re new to the area, know that this is the place locals point to when someone asks for a reliable, high-quality sushi fix.) Besides being a neighborhood staple, Yen also has some fantastic Japanese dishes. Like their baked lobster roll, which has been a crowd-pleaser for years and is still one of our favorite items on the menu.
It has consistently great offerings like the spicy-sweet Scorpion roll and the fresh, buttery Sunset roll, and it’s great if you’re spending the evening with a friend who’s hesitant about raw fish – or if you just want a fast, satisfying Japanese meal.
Kabuki Japanese Restaurant
$$ | (623) 772-9832 | WEBSITE
While some sushi spots feel like they were airlifted straight from Tokyo, Kabuki has the relaxing and stylish atmosphere we feel most comfortable in after a long week has taken hold. This place is perfect for an authentic Japanese meal – order the beautifully presented sushi and talk about how the pleasant staff makes every visit feel like a special occasion.
Sushi mocorito Lonchera
$ | (602) 536-2867 | WEBSITE
When you’re ready to be reminded that you’re in Glendale, just head to this unassuming spot where the sound of sizzling steak on the griddle mixes with the gentle clatter of plates. That’s when you’ll know you’ve reached this sushi lonchera designed to feel like a casual Mexican taqueria meets Japanese counter. Come for the popular Mocorito roll, and follow that up with some tacos al pastor and a friendly chat with the staff.
HARU sushi
$$ | (623) 217-2720 | WEBSITE
Glendale clearly appreciates good sushi, because a new sushi spot seems to open up every time we blink. And at HARU sushi in the west valley, the theme is essentially “casual excellence.” With HARU, what this means is the sushi-focused menu has incredibly fresh fish (which somehow maintains perfect quality even though we’re miles from any ocean). To drive the message home, there are outstanding gyoza and heart attack appetizers, too.
Japan Express
$ | (623) 435-9195 | WEBSITE
Japan Express and the nearby teriyaki spot are actually about a five-minute drive from each other, but both are so worthwhile that they’re worth the extra trip. Japan Express has some of the best sushi in the area (the Cali Salmon roll in particular is great) – and the Chicken Katsu Bento, while fantastic, will probably make you grateful for the chance to grab it to-go anyway.
Sushi Antojitos El Kike
$ | (602) 884-6620 | WEBSITE
This place is tucked away in a modest strip mall, you can spot it by the simple sign out front, or better yet, just follow the aroma of plantain wraps and fresh fish. There you can get some unique sushi options (like the Platin sushi, or a kid-friendly menu for the little ones). Also note the cozy and clean atmosphere, which will help you to ignore the bustling Glendale traffic slowly building outside.
Poke Maki
$ | (602) 513-8005 | WEBSITE
Lunch at Poke Maki is satisfying on its own, but even more delightful if you pair it with a bowl of their tonkotsu ramen, the rich and spicy broth that’s served steaming hot right at your table. There’s a diverse menu with lots of options, including a dish called the “Chashu bowl,” which features tender pork and is topped with a perfect egg. It should impress anyone who appreciates fresh and tasty food made just the way they want it.
Eastwind Sushi & Grill
$ | (602) 942-0706 | WEBSITE
You can try to get through a Glendale summer without a visit to Eastwind Sushi & Grill, but we wouldn’t recommend it. This restaurant has The Feel Good Factor™, meaning the kind service and delicious sushi will put you in a good mood even if your car’s AC sounds like a jet engine on its last legs. Just know that since you’re not the only person in the valley craving those fabulous flavors, there’s likely to be a pretty reasonable wait.
Sushi Plus
$ | (602) 595-9891 | WEBSITE
If there’s anything we took away from sushi culture (besides a healthy appreciation for fresh fish), it’s that variety is everything. Hence Glendale’s abundance of sushi spots with extensive roll selections, so that we can try something new every time. Sushi Plus and its sushi bar are a perfect example of this. Start your evening at the bar, with some spicy garlic edamame and specialty rolls from their very long menu, and then settle into the laid-back dining area for the rest of your meal.
Mariscos y Sushi El Dorado Sin 3
$$ | (623) 248-8171 | WEBSITE
Luckily, you can go straight to Mariscos y Sushi El Dorado Sin 3 – a lively spot that’s hidden among Glendale’s best sushi bars. This place has a beautiful environment and very good food, featuring delicious seafood and sushi dishes like queso fundido with chorizo and octopus. It’s just what you need when you’ve been craving impressive culinary offerings and a fun atmosphere all day. The beer is cold and the mango shots were praised, though the paloma was not well-received.
While the music can sometimes be too loud and service has been inconsistent with long wait times, the restaurant remains popular for those seeking good food despite some challenges.
Ohya Sushi, Korean Kitchen & Bar
$$ | (602) 298-0110 | WEBSITE
Ohya Sushi, Korean Kitchen & Bar is a lively spot you could happily hang out in all night. And to celebrate the fact that you found a place with both sushi and Korean specialties, you should do just that. The staff here are friendly, and won’t make you wait forever while trying to convince you to order the most expensive items. So grab some friends after work and make a run for it.
Rock N Roll Sushi
$$ | (623) 248-7130 | WEBSITE
As mentioned, to get here after the game, you don’t even have to leave the stadium area at all. Rock N Roll Sushi is a spot with classic rock vibes and delicious rolls like the VIP roll, legends roll with mango, and Baked Rock and Roll with lobster, and you can also try jalapeno poppers and spicy sashimi salad. We’re just waiting for them to open up a karaoke room so that we can actually rock out all night.